As of this year I am a completely independent musician and creator, and it’s just a little bit daunting.

When I began to wholeheartedly pursue music as a career I was really apprehensive about whether I could legitimately make it work long term; and I’m really excited to see it become a reality in 2018. This year has also already seen me play the biggest show of my life and complete my longest tour to date - both of which I have learnt so much from and been incredibly inspired by.

This tour has now seen me visit every state and play every capital city in Australia which is feat I never thought I’d accomplish having grown up in a town where there isn’t a single show to play. We’ve been trapped by flash flooding in far North Qld, showered under waterfalls in the Blue Mountains, explored cave systems outside of Canberra, camped in a volcanic crater in Victoria, walked through salt lakes along the Great Ocean Rd, swam in Cataract Gorge in Tasmania, gazed at giant ant mounds at Litchfield in the Northern Territory and that’s not to mention the shows themselves.

I don’t think I’m in any position to give advice really, but something I’ve been thinking about a lot is risk vs. reward. I keep seeing Facebook business guru’s saying that if you don’t “jump” or take the risk that you’ll never make it to where you want to be… and I agree, but to a point. Risk is always a factor in achieving your dreams but you shouldn’t risk everything and just blindly hope that things will work out. You step out and take the risk because you still have a foot planted on solid ground to hold you if you stumble. If I just went cold turkey on other jobs and went into touring and teaching full time I would of failed spectacularly. I had too much to learn and I needed a base that would allow me to expand slowly and build with a foundation strong enough to support that growth.

Even though I cannot tell what lies ahead for me, I can only hope that this will only continue to grow into new heights and allow me to keep developing as a player and teacher over the years to come. Thank you to all my students, those of you that have listened to Young Lions and come out to shows - I don’t know where I’d be or what I’d be doing without you.

Here’s to breaking new ground, may this be as fruitful for you as I know it will be for me.

Upon finalising some timetables for the Term today I did a sneaky count of my student base to find that I've cracked 50 students on my books at once.54 to be exact. It blows my mind that only a few years ago I was considering leaving teaching and following another career path entirely. To think of how content I am doing what I'm doing with the people I'm doing it with is truly a blessing and to those who have helped me out in the past and continue to do so from the bottom of my heart I thank you. Building on that, I'm also realising more and more the impact on the future drumming community I'm having in Brisbane. Not that it's massive by any means, but I most certainly feel responsible for ensuring that I'm passing on a quality education akin to the one that I received from my tutors when I was young.

To add to all this, I'm currently gearing up to head out on a SOLD OUT tour spanning East Coast to West with my boys in Young Lions alongside Hands Like Houses and The Brave in a few weeks which is simply ridiculous. Blows my mind that I get to do all of this... does anyone else love their job as much as I do mine? Amazing.

Oh, and if you want to stay in touch with me on any of my adventures make sure to add me on Instagram @mattgibsondrums :)

ALSO -My SECOND teaching manual is heading off to the printers this week and I've realised that I think I'm going to have to write another one :/ Wish me luck.

Completing Term 4 in a few short months will mark two years of my making a living solely teaching and playing drums - and the more I think about it the crazier it sounds. Doing the thing you love and going out on a limb is always worth it regardless of the outcome; and I've been lucky enough to have had my endeavours succeed.At the end of last year I posted this on my Facebook and on reading it again I find myself agreeing with it more and more.Have a read. Let me know your thoughts.

Wealth has got to be the biggest driving factor of modern life. It has the potential to make nations; let alone individuals. Like it or not, it has the power to change your deepest set beliefs, morals and feelings. However, the reason why it is on my thoughts today is because of its intrinsic link with “success.”

This undeniable tribute of money hoarding is what drives modern life. If wealth is what you pursue it’s what will determine your career, your social status, your life choices, the company you keep and your overall purpose in life.

On a daily basis I find myself indulging in envious thoughts for those whose passion has the capacity to create wealth. I have plenty of friends who have pursued their love for advertising, psychology or engineering that have been able to achieve what in modern eyes seems to be the perfect balance between wealth and fulfilment. However - those on a similar path to me (the path of artistic creation) have quite a different story to tell.

Unless you are in the creative arts world you may find it difficult to comprehend, but in regards to money specifically - it isn’t an easy road to be on. Most people I know in the industry have to indulge in their passion as a hobby as opposed to a career in order to even get by let alone thrive financially. At the end of the day, even for those that achieve popularity in their chosen craft (be it as a musician, photographer, artist or the like) it still takes everything you have to maintain a semblance of a ‘together’ lifestyle.

If you want to have a family at a young age and want to provide for them - then absolutely pursue that financial stability! Even though I don’t have any children of my own (and gosh darn it do I look forward to having some), having kids has got to be the biggest personal sacrifice that goes hand in hand with whats got to be the most rewarding experience of raising another life. But if that isn’t you and you’re just making money for the security, comfort and stability it brings - you’re missing out on what life is meant to be! Which is a LIFE! Not an existence.

At the end of the day, this is what I currently think:- You only have one life to lead, so do what you love.- Don’t judge your financial position based on what your peers have but rather your level of fulfilment. - What ever you chose, give it your absolute everything! There is nothing to be gained from living apathetically or without passion, give your all and you’ll make it at whatever fills you with life.- When you see someone pursuing their passion, don’t bring them down because you don’t have the foresight to see that you’re living your life as a slave to a system and they aren’t.

In other news: I'm also heading out on tour around Australia with Young Lions supporting Bayside in November - would be great to see some familiar faces on the road :)

I'm currently in the studio working on the third Young Lions album! We are doing the album with the legend that is Sonny Truelove in Spencer, NSW and the only thing better than the studio is the gorgeous bushland that surrounds it. From the balcony I can see mangroves just past the road, followed by a quintessentially Australian river that winds its way through the entire valley. Such an inspiring view that gets the creative juices flowing each new day. Being really prepared for the album really paid off as I was able to finish tracking the drums in just over a day - leaving the next three weeks for the other guys to nail the guitar and vocal parts... and me plenty of time to do things like write this!

I was lucky enough to bring my own Tama Hyperdrive down to track with, and it sounds absolutely beautiful! Paired with my Meinl Byzance Tradtional cymbals and topped with Evans Coated G2's I couldn't ask for a better set up - so blessed to work with the people I do. Can't wait to share all the new songs with the world :)